Everest bottled water, though from city, is treated and safe from bacteria

CORPUS CHRISTI - Residents drinking Everest bottled water, which uses treated water from the city's municipal water supply, are safe from bacteria, according to company officials.

Operations manager Brant Windham said Everest water goes through a series of in-house treatments, including a reverse osmosis unit, which eliminates 99.9 percent of bacteria and other particles. According to Windham, the treatment also removes total dissolved solids, which are measured in parts per million.

"Once it goes through our system, it is at four parts per million," Windham said. "Anything under 10 parts per million classifies it as purified, the highest quality of drinking water."

Windham said Everest water is tested weekly by on-site technicians and samples also are sent to the Nueces County Public Health Department to undergo the same tests as the municipal water supply. Windham said managers certified by the Texas Department of Health are present at all times during production.